Beach Wedding Weekend

by Rachel Magee

  Maybe she would still choose Brody. Maybe she really was meant to be with that pompous ladder-climber. And if that was what she wanted, he would wish her well. He would even dance at her wedding. But he at least deserved a chance. She deserved to know how he felt about her.

  Exhilaration prompted his steps. He’d never uttered the three sacred words he was about to say, but he never felt more equipped to say anything in his entire life.

  Five tables stood between where he was and where he wanted to be. He passed the first one in what felt like one giant step.

  Maybe he should’ve rehearsed some sort of speech. Or, at the very least, he could’ve thought through what he wanted to say, but he didn’t want to wait one more second. He needed to say it now.

  He almost tripped over a chair turned the wrong way at the next table, but he caught himself before he fell. She made a face to show her concern and then laughed. He loved her laugh. It lit her entire body. Adoration so bright and shiny surged through his entire body until he wondered if it made him glow. He’d never felt so alive.

  “Aiden! We’re headed to the dance floor. Bring your crazy moves,” one of the groomsmen called as he walked past. Aiden took his eyes off Paige just for a second so he could answer.

  “I’m there. I just have to take care of something first.” Although as he rounded the next table, he considered breaking into a dance right there. Or singing, or shouting, or attempting to fly. Never in his whole life had he been consumed by a force as powerful as love. He stopped to pick up a handbag that had fallen on the ground before he returned his attention to Paige.

  But something had captured her attention, too. Or should he say someone? Brody, seemingly unaware of Aiden, stepped in between them.

  A chilling disappointment took the edge off his elation and made him pause. He set the handbag on the table and watched the scene in front of him, trying to interpret what was being said.

  The smile that had lit Paige’s lovely face only a second ago had faded. She fidgeted with her hair as she listened to whatever he was saying to her. Brody’s head was hung low, his shoulders stooped forward, in the posture of an apology.

  Aiden fought the urge to continue on. He also had something he wanted to tell Paige, a truth he needed her to hear. He considered playing dumb as he stepped in the middle of what appeared to be a personal conversation, or even shouting the words to her from where he was.

  But this wasn’t just about Aiden. It was also about her.

  The thought made him hesitate and a heaviness descended over him. She’d already told him what she wanted. In fact, she’d made it crystal clear all weekend what her intentions were. She wanted Brody.

  Brody made her happy. A life with Brody was what she saw in her future. Although she never specifically told him the wish she wrote down last night, she’d hinted that it was to get Brody back. Before this weekend started, before he had his life-changing revelation, Paige had already chosen Brody.

  The realization didn’t steal any of the love that was illuminating every inch of his being, but it did make him hesitate. Of course, he wanted to be the one that made her smile, to fill her life with the kind of love that gave her wings. But even more than that, he just wanted her to be happy.

  And if Brody was what truly made her happy, then he couldn’t mess that up for her.

  Paige looked over Brody’s head at him. He gave her a thumbs up and mouthed the question “All good?”

  With a sly smile she gave him a discreet nod and mouthed the word “perfect.”

  He stood there and watched for one more excruciating moment while Brody looked up at Paige and took her hands into his. Only moments ago he had felt like he could leap tall buildings, and now he felt as if he barely had enough energy to pick his feet up to walk.

  He could still have told her the way he felt. He could have proclaimed his love for everyone to hear then stood next to Brody, shoulder to shoulder, and made her choose between them. But that wouldn’t have been fair to her.

  She was perfect and beautiful and a thousand other wonderful things, but she wasn’t his. With one last look, he turned and walked away.

  So Paige had gotten what she wanted. Good for her. No one deserved happiness more than she did.

  It was all good because Aiden was getting what he wanted, too. He was about to sell his prized restaurant for crazy money, and he was on par to live his uncommitted, carefree, bachelor life forever.

  Lucky him.

  Paige hadn’t actually listened to a word Brody said after he told her it was over with Sasha. It was some sort of half-hearted excuse for an apology and an explanation of why leaving her alone and heartbroken all those months ago was a good thing—for him at least.

  She tried to listen, honestly she did, but she was distracted by Aiden.

  It had looked like he wanted to tell her something, and from the happiness radiating from him, she guessed it was good news. Blame it on the romance of the wedding or her own romantic heart, but she had hoped he was coming to say what she wanted to hear. That while he hadn’t done commitment in the past, she was different. She made him want to do those things he said he never would.

  But as soon as he asked if everything was okay, he had walked away.

  Paige silently scolded the disappointment that descended on her as she watched him leave her and rejoin the party. It was the right thing for him to do. He was only in this as a pawn. Nothing more. Because Aiden Pierce didn’t do relationships.

  “We were good together, Paige. So what do you say? Can we give us another chance?” For the first time since he started his sorry-not-sorry speech, Brody looked up into her eyes.

  Nothing. She felt nothing.

  It was all going according to her perfectly executed plan, even down to the “I want you back” speech at the end of the weekend. Next, if she were checking things off the imaginary list in her head, she should say yes. Absolutely. Her response should probably be followed by some sort of passionate kiss and possibly fireworks.

  She licked her lips, trying to get her mouth ready to say the word she was supposed to say.

  “Thanks, Brody.” Thanks? What did that even mean? Her brain was not doing a great job.

  She could see the confusion register on Brody’s face as well. She searched the crowd again for Aiden and found him on the edge of the dance floor, laughing with Ciera and Georgia.

  “I, er, think I need a little time to try to sort through all of this.”

  The answer shocked her almost as much as it seemed to shock him.

  “Right. Take all the time you need. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  He wandered off into the night and she stood there trying to make her thoughts make sense. This was what she’d dreamed about, wasn’t it? This was what she’d waited for. Saying yes to Brody would set her up for the life she thought she wanted. Happily ever after and happy enough weren’t all that different, were they?

  She closed her eyes and let the cool breeze wash over her, trying to realign her heart with the plan her brain had come up with. Unfortunately, three little words echoed in her mind like a drum beat. They were the same dreaded three little words that always threatened to undo any plan.

  But what if…

  Chapter Sixteen

  The reception ended with Georgia and Lane making their exit through a tunnel of guests waving sparklers pointing toward a decorated golf cart. It was a tip they had taken from Paige, who had done that many times at the resort. Her couples wanted the finality of a grand exit, but since they were staying at the other side of the resort, getting in a car and driving off was a bit much. In this case, Georgia and Lane were driving just down the block to an oceanfront bed and breakfast.

  Paige, Ciera, and Hadley stood closest to the golf cart.

  “You are the best bridesmaids ever!” Georgia squealed. She hugged Hadley, then Ciera. When she
hugged Paige, she lowered her voice to whisper and leaned her mouth right next to Paige’s ear. “And go get your man.”

  Confusion twisted around inside Paige, but she did her best to keep it from showing on her face as the golf cart disappeared from sight.

  Ciera let out a happy sigh. “What a perfect day.”

  “May I have your attention, please?” The wedding coordinator clapped her hands, standing in the place where the golf cart had just been.

  Hadley glared at the woman. “Seriously, isn’t her job over?” she whispered.

  Paige giggled.

  “The bride and groom would like to thank you all for being here to celebrate with them. The reception is now concluded. However, there are a few members of the wedding party and family who have been tasked with returning various items.” She pointed at the three girls. “That includes all of you. Please see my assistant to confirm your job.”

  “That includes all of you,” Hadley mocked as they made their way through the crowd to find the assistant. “If I hire someone like that to do my wedding, Paige, you have my permission to fire her on the spot.”

  “Please don’t ever clap your hands at your clients. It’s just rude,” Ciera mumbled.

  “It’s now on the top of my list of things to avoid.” Although the way she could project her voice was a cool little trick. If Paige could master that, the entire Hilltop Resort would be able to hear her when she needed something. Of course, she would have to use a much kinder tone.

  The assistant checked something off her list when they approached. “I have three piles of things for you to take home. There is a bag in the club’s dressing room, her veil and pre-wedding bag are at the Merricks’ house and some things left over from the ceremony are under the staging tent on the beach.”

  The house wasn’t exactly someplace Paige wanted to be right now. Both Brody and Aiden were staying there. There was a good chance she would encounter one or both of them on her errand, perhaps even at the same time, which might inspire a conversation she wasn’t ready to have.

  The beach wasn’t much better. Luckily, her friends stepped in for her. “Paige, you can get the dressing room, I’ll run down to the beach, and Ciera can go to the house. We can meet at the car.”

  Since most of the wedding guests had taken off in the direction of the parking lot or the Merricks’ house, the courtyard and clubhouse were quiet. Other than vendors cleaning up, Paige was the only person there. She welcomed the few minutes alone. Perhaps away from all the people and the craziness, she could get her thoughts together.

  She owed Brody an answer, and in theory it should be an easy one. For over two years, she had convinced herself he was the one she should end up with. Getting back together with him had been her whole goal. This was what she wanted.

  She grabbed the bag and headed out to Aiden’s SUV that they had borrowed for the day. Before this weekend, everything had been so clear, but now she wasn’t sure.

  She opened the passenger side door and Aiden’s familiar scent drifted over her. It smelled like cedar, worn leather and fun. His favorite tattered sun visor hung from the rearview mirror and there was an old football on the floor in the backseat. The SUV looked like him, felt like him, and she slid into the passenger seat feeling closer to him.

  She leaned her head against the head rest and breathed in deeply, hoping for a little clarity. It didn’t work. With a solid plan and clear objectives, how did she manage to get herself so far off track?

  The sound of the trunk opening startled her, and she shook her head slightly, trying to hide the conflicted emotions that were playing through her.

  “It is crazy down at that house.” Ciera’s cheery voice rang through the car. Paige turned to watch her in time to see her heft a large, hard-sided suitcase into the back. “Lane forgot to take his suitcase. Apparently the wedding planner extraordinaire wasn’t on top of everything.”

  Hadley appeared, walking across the parking lot holding two bags. “Who knew it took so much stuff to get ready for one wedding?” She tossed her bags into the back of the SUV and took the veil from Ciera. “I’ll lay this out in the back seat with me so it won’t get crunched. I’m not sure what Georgia is planning on doing with it, but I don’t want to be the one responsible for messing it up.”

  Once everything was situated, Ciera shut the doors and climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “We have to run by the bed and breakfast and drop off Lane’s bag. Aiden told me he needs his car first thing in the morning, but he said we can drive it home and he’ll walk down to get it as soon as he finishes saying goodnight to everyone.”

  At the thought of Aiden, excitement danced through Paige. She had to bite her bottom lip to keep it from spreading into a huge, goofy grin across her face.

  “Any idea what time that’ll be?” she asked. Not that it mattered, of course. She was simply asking to make sure the plan had been thought through.

  “No clue, but knowing my brother, it could be a while.” Ciera pulled out onto the main street, headed in the direction of the bed and breakfast.

  “I ran into Brody on my way back from the beach,” Hadley reported, with a hint of scandal in her voice. “He all of the sudden seems very interested in you. He asked what your plans were for the night.”

  “Oh.” It was all Paige could think to say because just hearing the mention of his name caused a different, not quite as pleasant emotion to roll through her. She tried to tell herself a few nerves were normal when considering an offer that might lead to forever, but she feared icy apprehension stealing her joy was more than normal nerves.

  She was a tangled-up mess. The thought of Aiden made her spirit soar and the thought of Brody filled her with dread. Seriously, what was wrong with her?

  “He wanted me to tell you to check your phone. It’s very important.” Hadley rolled her eyes. “I’d told him you’d check it if you had time. Any idea what he thinks is so urgent all of the sudden?”

  Paige did her best to try to look innocent. “No idea.” Which was mostly true. While she could guess at the topic, getting back together, she wasn’t sure what was so important that he needed to text her right now. Her fingers tingled, wanting to climb over the backseat and pull her phone out of her clutch. But since she didn’t want to dive into the long, drawn-out conversation about the internal battle raging in her mind, she made herself refrain.

  Ciera turned into the bed and breakfast’s parking lot and Paige nearly jumped out of the car. “I’ll run the suitcase in.”

  “You sure? Is your ankle up for it?”

  Paige was already around to the trunk before anyone else had the chance to get out. “It feels much better today.” That wasn’t entirely true, but she was willing to take any distraction from the drama in her head.

  With the suitcase in her hand, she started up the steps. She had every intention of telling Hadley and Ciera about what happened, but she needed to be able to express it in coherent sentences first.

  Brody’s new girlfriend broke up with him because they couldn’t find their spark. And now he wants me back, only I’m not sure because I might be in love with your brother, who, just like you warned me, doesn’t do commitment. It didn’t exactly seem like the best way to dump this on her best friends.

  Paige ducked her head in the front door of the bed and breakfast and rolled the suitcase next to the check-in desk. If only hers was a simple love story like Georgia and Lane’s. One where… She smiled at the memory of how Georgia and Lane started. Well, maybe love stories weren’t meant to be simple. They were just meant to end well.

  After handing off the bag to the owner of the B&B, Paige trotted back down to the car. “Mission accomplished.”

  “Thanks. The wedding boss said to please text her when it was delivered,” Ciera said as she pulled out on the main road.

  Hadley took out her phone. “I’m sending it now
. And including the clapping emoji.”

  Ciera let out a snort of a laugh. “You’re so bad.”

  Paige might have laughed, too, if she didn’t have a hundred other thoughts occupying her mind.

  Traffic on the main highway was unusually light just after midnight, and it only took them a couple of minutes to drive the short distance to their condos. Ciera’s phone dinged as soon as they pulled into the parking lot, but she didn’t bother to check the message until they had parked and unloaded everything from the car and were walking up the stairs.

  “Wow, that was fast. Aiden said he’s on his way.”

  The flurry of excitement dashed through Paige again, but she adjusted the bag on her shoulder to try to keep herself in check.

  “How’s he getting here?” Not that it really mattered, but it seemed like a more appropriate question than “Did he ask about me?”

  “He said he’s walking on the beach. It’s after midnight. Is that safe? I’m not sure that’s safe.”

  Walking alone in the dark anywhere at midnight wasn’t the best call, but probably the only real threats this beach held were tiny crabs getting out of his way or accidently stepping on one of the baby sea turtles trying to make its way to the water.

  “I’m sure he’s fine, but I can meet him down there with the keys if it would make you feel more comfortable.”

  “You don’t have to,” Ciera said. “I can go.”

  “I don’t mind at all. In fact, I was wanting to walk down to the beach one last time to get a better look at the moon anyway.” Paige prayed there was actually a moon worth looking at tonight and it wasn’t covered by clouds.

  Hadley studied her for a moment with a look Paige couldn’t quite place. Then she held out her hand. “Sounds lovely. Want me to take your bag up for you?”

  Ciera just shrugged and handed her the keys.

  Paige didn’t hesitate. With the keys in one hand and her clutch in the other, she took off for the stairs. “I’ll be up in a bit.”